10 Things You'll Need to Turn a Closet Into a Cozy Book Nook for Kids

Thank you to Zazzle for providing the reading-themed throw pillows for our DIY book nook project.  All opinions expressed are our own.

If you have more than one child and live in a small house like us, you may be running out of places for your children to find some quiet time away from their siblings.  We have a small walk-in closet that was just being used as a catchall, so we decided to turn it into a cozy book nook where one or two of them could sit and read without disturbances or distractions.

I thought putting together this DIY reading nook would be a huge undertaking, but it was easier than I thought it.  The most difficult parts were prepping the closet and organizing the books (our children have way too many books).

How to prep your closet to house a book nook . . . 

A.  Empty out the closet completely.  (You should have seen all the things our children rediscovered during this process.)
B.  Remove the closet door.
C.  Remove any bars, hardware, and hooks from the walls.
D.  Make sure the existing closet light is sufficient for reading.  If not, change it or add additional lighting.  You could add a cordless LED lamp, a clip-on book light, or even a flashlight (kids love reading with flashlights).
E.  If the walls are not to your liking (ours were pink), paint them a light, warm color.  Choosing a dark color for the walls will cause the nook to feel smaller and darker than it needs to be.
F.  Hate the floor in your closet?  Don't worry, we'll cover that later.

Once you have all the prepping out of the way, then the fun begins!  You'll be on your way to having a cozy book nook in no time.

Pin This DIY Book Nook project for later . . . 

10 Things You'll Need to Create a Cozy Closet Book Nook . . .

1.  X-large Dog Bed - I explored many options and, after measuring the closet floor, I decided that this jumbo dog bed was the least expensive, most effective, and easiest way to create cushy seating on the closet floor.

2.  Two Large Bolster Pillows - Place two cylindrical pillows the size of body pillows in one corner of the closet to create a right angle.  (We purchased ours at Sears for under $20 each during back-to-college dorm shopping season.)

3.  Book or Reading-Themed Throw Pillows - I had looked around for toss pillows with a reading theme for awhile, but could not find anything that was more than just typography, until I took a look at the throw pillows on Zazzle.  With all the designs, shapes, and sizes to choose from, I was like a kid in a candy store.  I ultimately chose the square 20" Library throw pillow, the square 20" Dragon Magically Appearing from Books throw pillow, and the Cute Bookworm round pillow.  They were exactly what I was looking for our 3 tweens . . . cute, but not too cutesie.

4.  Soft Cuddly Throw Blanket - You can use a throw you already have or buy a new one, but a cuddly throw is a must for ensuring your little reader is comfortable and will want to stay put to read on.  You should be able to find a plush throw for around $10.  We found ours for less than $10 at Walgreens of all places during back-to-college season.

5.  Window Wall Decal - Because the nook is in such a small space, a window decal will give the illusion of something beyond that wall.  It also may spark your child's imagination about being in another place, something that is needed when he or she is fully immersed in a great book.  Window wall decals come in a huge variety of styles and sizes.  Our small 28"x20" forest view window wall decal cost us less than $6 shipped.

6.  Sheer Curtain Panel - Hang a full length sheer curtain panel over the doorway.  This will allow you to see inside the book nook without disturbing your child's reading.  It also allows much-needed light to filter into the book nook.  A solid door would not do either of these things and would likely make the reading nook feel enclosed and stuffy.  A cafe rod with hanging hardware included plus one sheer curtain panel cost us under $10 at Target.  We also added an inexpensive metal curtain holdback to pull the curtain to one side, but that is optional, as you can just slide the curtain panel to one side on the curtain rod.

7.  Patterned Fabric or Washi Tape - To dress up your closet shelves, trim them by covering the front edge with patterned tape.  You'll need to measure the thickness of your shelves, but this .75" pin dot fabric tape fit ours perfectly.

8.  Shag Rug - In addition to what you see from the doorway, our closet has additional space to the right.  If this is the case for your closet, then you can cover the remaining floor space with a soft shag area rug.  Be sure to measure the space.  This 2'x3' soft shag rug fit our space perfectly and coordinated well with the jumbo pet bed we chose.

9.  Bedrest Pillow + Extra Throw Pillows - Sometimes it's more fun to read with a buddy, so it's a great idea to add extra throw pillows plus a bedrest pillow to create additional seating on the rug.  If you shop around, you could probably find a bedrest pillow for about $20.  We found ours on sale (in neon yellow) at Target.  The extra pillows can be toss pillows you already own if you don't wish to purchase or make new ones.

10.  Bookmark Bucket - For a special touch, add a little bucket to hold bookmarks so your children are not scrambling to look for one when it's time to stop reading.  I found the bucket and the colored string in the Target dollar section.  I actually tied our bookmark bucket to the string on the ceiling light.  Don't have bookmarks? Checkout my DIY bookmark craft!

Be sure to fill your book nook with books in a variety of genres!
Take all the books from your existing library and add some more in a variety of genres and reading levels.  Your local used book stores and library book sales are the perfect places to find new titles to add to your book nook library.  We donated a bunch of books and added new titles.  This is something we'll have to do regularly, as our book nook shelves are quite full.

What do you think?  Was this DIY book nook project easier than you thought it would be?  Our children are in love with it so far and have even asked if they could sleep in it.  If you have ideas for making a closet book nook even cozier, please share it with us in a comment below.

Share your thoughts about these DIY book nook ideas with us on Facebook!

Home Decor Gifts for Everyone On Your Shopping List from Zazzle

Thank you to Zazzle for providing a sample round pouf for us to base this review upon and for providing a gift certificate for our giveaway prize.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Over the years, Zazzle has grown significantly as far as the types of custom products they offer.  Take their home decor selection, for example.  You may expect to see throws, pillows, mugs, and tree ornaments when you visit their site, but you will find so much more.  Upon visiting Zazzle.com recently, I was delighted to find lamps, cutting boards, serving trays, plates, bowls, tree skirts, Christmas stockings, and even wrapping paper!  Of all the wonderful home furnishings items I had discovered, the poufs were my favorite of all.

When I first saw the Luck & Longevity Round Pouf, I knew it would be perfect for our home.  I love the Asian flair and it was an easy way to add another seat in our living room without adding a large piece of furniture.  Of course, you would need to find the right pouf for you.  With currently 43,513 cube and round poufs to choose from and the ability to customize your item, I don't foresee a problem with finding exactly what you need.  There are styles that are suitable for nurseries, dorm rooms, mancaves, and everything in between.  Many styles can be personalized with a name or a monogram, whether your are choosing a trendy chevron pouf or one that's in your favorite team colors.

If you truly cannot find exactly what you're looking for, then you always have the option to design your own pouf by uploading your own images for the top and sides.  I always thought it would be cool to create a mosaic image using photos of my children, my husband, and myself from different stages of our lives.  What design would you put on a custom square or round pouf?

To view all the home decor items available, visit www.Zazzle.com, where you could finish almost all your holiday shopping in just one stop!  Be sure to sign up for the Zazzle newsletter to stay in the know about special offers and Zazzle promo codes during the holiday season and throughout the year.

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This giveaway is open to U.S only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. A random drawing will be held shortly after the contest closing. The winner will be announced here and will be contacted via email. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be drawn.

Easy DIY Mod Podge Glitter Sand Easter Eggs Craft

Thank you to Oriental Trading Company for providing the glitter sand and additional craft supplies for our Easter craft tutorial.  All opinions expressed are my own.

If you've dyed and decorated hard-boiled eggs before, then you might be familiar with the slight feeling of sadness when it's time to discard your beautiful works of art.  On the same note, you might wish that you could display your beautifully decorated eggs all throughout the Easter season instead of hiding them in the fridge.  Having felt this way many times year after year, I decided to decorate some eggs that can be left out to be enjoyed during this year's Easter holiday and can be used again for years to come.

Today's Craft Project:  Mod Podge Glitter Sand Easter Eggs

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

basic plastic Easter eggs (any size)

glitter sand assortment

Mod Podge

craft sponge or brush

shallow trays or bowls (one for each color of sand)

wax paper (optional)

Step 1.  Be sure your plastic eggs are free of dust and hair (they tend to hold a lot of static).

Step 2.  Apply Mod Podge all around the edge of an opened egg.  Then close the egg tightly and hold in place for a minute or two until the glue sets.

Step 3.  Pour one color of glitter sand into a clean empty tray or bowl.

Tip #1:  For a uniform effect, use sand that is similar in color to the plastic egg you wish to coat.

Step 4.  Holding your egg with the tips of your thumb and index finger, apply Mod Podge to the entire exterior of the egg.

Tip #2:  Cover as much of the egg's surface as you can, then place the egg on its side into the tray containing the sand.  Carefully apply Mod Podge to the two spots where your fingers were holding the egg.

Step 5.  Using your finger tips, gently roll and turn the egg until it is completely coated in the sand.  Then place it on wax paper to dry.

Tip #3:  Your finger tips will get coated in glue and sand, but that's a good thing.  Once your fingers are coated in sand, you will be able to hand the egg without taking sand off the surface of the egg while the glue is still wet.

Step 6.  Once the glue has dried, gently brush any excess sand off the egg.

Once you have enough eggs, you can display them however you like.  I used a large silver tin pail decorated simply with ivory jute cord and a glass butterfly pendant.  They would also be perfect to display in your favorite basket, on a mantle, or as part of a tablescape.  You could even use them in an Easter egg hunt or as party favors.

I should also mention that I experimented with mixing the remainder of the blue, yellow, and light green sand together with white sand.  I used the mixture to coat a variety of different colored eggs.  The results varied depending on the color of the bare egg.  I was happier with the results using the lightest colored eggs.  If you experiment with this, be sure to let me know what you think!


If you like this easy Easter craft, be sure to Pin It for future reference:

Which Room Would You Makeover If You Won the Armstrong Residential Ceilings “Style Is Looking Up” Giveaway? #MC

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting (#MC) for Armstrong Residential Ceilings. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating. All opinions expressed are my own.

Armstrong Residential's Drop Panel Metallaire Vine Ceiling (Photo from Armstrong Ceiling Gallery)

We have painted ceilings in every room in our home and, to be honest, I had never paid much attention to them aside from noticing the occasional cobweb.  That was until we had a plumbing issue upstairs about a month ago and the water from the pipes leaked from behind the wall of the shower down into the ceiling of our kitchen.  Now it's all I can do to not look up at the ceiling because our nicely painted white ceiling currently has an unsightly brown-yellow spot approximately a foot wide on it.

Although my husband was a able to install hardwood flooring in our living room and even repair the plumbing issue we had upstairs himself, we are not as confident about our ability to fix the ceiling ourselves beyond just repainting it.  One thing we've learned about DIY home projects is that we need to recognize our limits, especially when I'm dreaming about a tin tile or drop panel ceiling.

Which ceiling could use a makeover in your home? Through March 15th, you can enter for a chance to win a $2,500 grand prize room makeover, which includes an Armstrong ceiling, an installation credit, and a $1,000 Lowe’s gift card, in the Armstrong Residential Ceilings"Style Is Looking Up” Giveaway.  Also through to March 15th, Armstrong Residential Ceilings will select a winner each week to receive a $50 Lowe’s gift card!  Visit Armstrong Residential Ceilings on Facebook to enter and for the official contest rules.

10 Easy & Useful Ways to Use Chalkboard Decals in Your Home

Thank you to KiDECALS for providing complimentary product samples to help facilitate this post.

While shopping in the home furnishings department in local stores, I have been noticing chalkboard signs incorporated into everything from storage baskets to spice jars.  I loved the ideas, but I didn't like the prices.  When I saw the chalkboard decals on kidecals.com, I had a "eureka" moment.  I started thinking about all the things on which I could use these decals, which only cost $10 for a sheet of 12 (6 of the 3" and 6 of the 4").  There are also various shapes available.  The ones I used are the Chalkboard Cloud II Labels.  Since KiDECALS was nice enough to send me some chalkboard labels to play with, I was able to experiment a little.  Here are some of the ideas I came up with . . .

1.  Flatware Caddies - For parties and other gatherings, you can place these chalkboard decals on any type of smooth container.  I found the little pails pictured above in the Target dollar section.  They were the perfect size for holding forks, spoons, and knives.

2.  Wine Glass Markers - For parties, put chalkboard decals on acrylic wine glasses, flutes, or tumblers.  Then mark each glass with the guests' names or initials.  Since the decals are dishwasher-safe, you can reuse these chalkboard drinking glasses for the next party.

3.  Home Office or Craft Room Storage - I'm a big fan of using photo boxes for storage on shelves because I can label them and they keep the contents out of sight.  Sometimes those boxes just are too large to hold small items.  That's when smaller labeled jars or buckets can come in handy.  They would look very neat all lined up on a shelf.

4.  Rainy Day Jar - Everyone has something they are saving up for, whether it's a vacation or just mad money.  Place a chalkboard decal on a jar and write what you're currently saving up for on the front.  That way you'll be reminded to make an effort to add to the fund each time you see the jar.

5.  Playroom Storage - These chalkboard decals would be very handy to hold things like crayons, markers, and more.  You can write the name of what belongs in the container for organization or you can write each child's name for personal containers to keep each child's belongings separate.

6.  Mud Room Storage - If you have a mud room, you may have large bins that hold different things depending on the season.  Use these chalkboard decals on bins to label them with their purpose, such as mittens and hats, umbrellas, wet socks, balls and frisbees, etc . . .

7.  Bake Sales - If you participate in bake sales several times a year for school or other organizations, then it would be a time saver to label the side of your reusable containers with chalkboard decals rather than having to make hand written signs for each item you contribute baked goods.

8.  Easy Personalized Teacher's Gift or Get Well Gift - The acrylic stemless wine glass pictured below only cost me $1.99 each at Target.  They would make cute shatter-resistant vases to hold fresh flowers for your child to present to their teacher at the end of the school year.  The would also make thoughtful get well gifts.  It's easy to personalize the vase with a chalkboard decal to make it more special.

9.  Place Cards and Favors - A little personalized vase or glass would make an elegant place card at a wedding or a dinner party.  They could double as a favor for the guest to take home.  You could place a fresh flower or chocolates inside.

10.  Kitchen Treat Canisters - In our house, we use stainless steel canisters with glass lids to store cookies.  You really cannot tell what is inside each canister without picking it up and looking through the lid (or asking Mom).  Using chalkboard decals on these canisters would make it clear what kinds of treats are currently in each canister.


If you have other ideas for using chalkboard decals, I would love to hear them.  Feel free to share them with me and other 3G2S readers in a comment below.

Seeing Stars . . . Using Stars to Decorate Your Home

July is a time of year when stars remind us of a feeling of patriotism and an appreciation of our country's independence.  However, the rest of the year, stars can signify astronomy, the holidays, a nursery rhyme, a rockstar, and so much more.  So when you are thinking about decorating (or redecorating) a room in your home, why not consider adding some star accents?  To me a star is one of the most versatile symbols you can use in your home.  A star always represents something positive, whether it is a person shining brightly, dreams of the future, or a job well done.

When our first born son was an infant, I decorated his nursery in a Cow Jumped Over the Moon theme.  I had so much fun doing it and even sponged stars onto the ceiling.  My husband and I also handcrafted a growth chart that was covered in a star print fabric.  Our son is 8 now and probably does not remember a thing about his first bedroom, but I have fond memories of it.

Here are some ideas that may inspire you to bring the magic of stars into your home . . .

Living Room, Dining Room, or Entryway:



Physics Ceiling Lamp


Arteriors Galaxy Star Mirror


Worlds Away Clear Star Chandelier Large


Dash & Albert Navy Star Wool Hook Rug


Child's Bedroom, Nursery, or Playroom:


Rock Star Wall Decal


Wish Upon a Star Wall Decal


Blue Star Drawer Pulls - Final Sale


Chalkboard Star


New Arrivals Mobile Star


New Arrivals Growth Chart Blue Star


Mini Star Cotton Hook Rug


Aden & Anais Serenity Star

In honor of the holiday, Layla Grayce is celebrating with an extra 10% off red, white, and blue summer entertaining essentials when you checkout with Code: rwb10 by July 31st, 2012.  Check out the sale if you are planning a get-together later this summer or if you would like to buy some new red or white pieces for holiday entertaining this winter.

5 Easy Home Decor Projects You Can Do With Your Children

As summer vacation draws near, you may be starting to think about what you can do to fill all those hours during the week when the children would normally be in school.  Some of those hours, especially during rainy days, could be spent doing some easy DIY home decor projects.  I often become inspired about such projects while browsing through various craft supplies.  I just love that "light bulb" moment when an idea pops into my head.

My favorite type of craft is something that can be used or displayed after the project has been completed.  If you like the idea of doing some DIY decor crafts with your children, here are some easy project ideas that came to mind while I was browsing the Factory Direct Craft website . . .


1.  Decorate a Wreath - If your children are old enough to use a hot glue gun, decorating a wreath from scratch would be lots of fun.  If your children are younger, you could buy or make a basic wreath like this one and add butterflies, birds, ribbon, or a big bow to it.  Either way, a wreath project usually results in something beautiful that can be proudly displayed on the front door.

2.  Fill a Wagon - Find a little rustic or antique-looking wagon that can sit on a shelf or a large wagon to go in the garden or on the front porch.  Regardless of the wagon's size, it would be quite fun for your children to think of ideas to fill it.  Will they fill it with painted wooden hearts and stars, with teddy bears, potted plants, artificial flowers, or something else?  The possibilities are endless.

3.  Paint an Airplane - Wooden airplane kits are quite inexpensive.  It would be the perfect project for an older child who has the patience and skill to paint such a model.  One or two of these planes would look great suspended from the ceiling of a child's bedroom or a playroom.

4.  Decorate a Letter - Unfinished wooden letters come in all sizes.  You could have your child decorate the first letter of their name, his or her initials, or their whole name.  Decorating could entail anything from painting to decoupage to gluing buttons or glitter onto the letters.  These would be perfect for hanging on the child's bedroom door or wall.

5.  Experiment with String Lights - String lights are not just for the holidays.  They can make subtle or spectacular displays both inside the home or in the backyard.  You could string them indoors on a ficus tree, around a window, around a mirror, or place them in a glass vase or a jar.  Whatever you do, when the rest of the lights go off, the results will be beautiful, especially to a child.

What ideas do you have for easy DIY home decor projects that you could invite your children to help with?